Printing-telegraph system



Maya, 1923. 1,669.201

G. S. HILTZ ET AL PRINTING TELEGRAPH SYSTEI Filed July 28. 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 May 8, 1928. 1,669,201

G. s. HILTZ ET AL PRI NT NG TELEGRAPH 8 Y5 TEN Filed July 28, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 dam...

avwcntow 31 x Strum-1 v Patented Mayo, 1928.

UNITED STATES 1,669,201 PATENT OFF-ICE- scones s. mmz, orfnnooxrrn, NEW YORK, AND WILLIAM F. rnnonnr, or nono- KEN, new masmr, assrcnous 'ro srocx euom'rron TELEGRAPH oomumr, on NEW YORK, n. Y., A coaromnon or NEW YORK.

PRINTING-TELEGRAPH SYSTEM.

In printing telegraph systems it is common practice to use currents of different strengths to control the operation of the receiver, the difi'erent strengths being obtained by means of one or more relay mechanisms which serve to cut resistance into and out of the transmission circuit. For example, in systems using receivers of the stock ticker typeithe imprints are made in two lines on a paper tape past a type wheel having two rows of characters.

- Either row of characters can be selected for printing, the selection, or, as it is. commonly known, the shiftflbeing efiected either by mechanical means, which may be of the kind described in prior Patent No. 1,558,610, issued October 27, 1925, to Stock Quotatlon Telegraph Company, or by suitable electromagnetic means. In systems in which a separate transmission circuit is employed forcontrolling the magnetic shift the accomplishment of the desired result is easy enough but in so called one-wire systems, in'which all current must be sent over a single circuit the problem is difiicult in practice, however simple and easy it may be in theory. In our copending application Serial No. 144,230, filed October 26,1926, we have described a one-wire system in which a magnetic shift is employed. In that system depression of a transmitter key corresponding to a character in one row of type wheel character's causes to be sent over the line to the distant ticker a current strong enough to' actuate the type-wheel escapement," by which rotation of the type wheel is controlled, but too weak to actuate the ticker shift-mechanism. When, however, a

key is depressed corresponding to a character in the other row on the ticker type wheel, current is sent over the line strong enough to actuate not only the escapement but also the shift mechanism and accordingly the imprint is made from the said other row of characters. In either case the prmtmg is effected by a press magnet which must develop suflicient power to do" such local circuit by means of a relay in II or controlled by the transmission circuit. Oinpresent invention, although capable of advantageous use for other purposes, relates primarily to this relay control of the local circuit, and its chief object is to provide 00 a relay system of unfailing reliability, sensitive to the weakest current intended to operate it, and withal simple and rugged in construction so as to be capable of operating for long periodswithout attention. To this II and other ends the invention comprises the novel features and combinations hereinafter described.

In the preferred form of the invention we provide two relays to control the local cir- I0 cuit, one of which is sensitive to the weak current (and hence to strong current also) while the other is sensitive only to the stron current, but these relays are interconnecte in such manner that at appropriate times fl the strong relay prevents effective operation of the other or weak relay. Two embodimentsofthis form of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 is a plan view of the preferred relay mechanism itself, and Fig. 2 is a wiring diagram of the ticker end of the, printing telegraph s stem.

Fig. 3 is a iagram illustrating another a embodiment of the preferred form of the invention.

Fig. 4 is a diagram showing another form of the invention. 7

The parts shown in Fig. 1 are conven- 9 iently mounted on a base board 10 and comprise a pair of relays S, W, connected in series in the transmission line 11, Fig. 2, which also includes, in series, the ticker escapement magnets 12 and the ticker shift 9 magnet 13.' The ticker, indicated diagrammatically at 14,, and the shift mechanism represented by magnet 13, may be of the type shown in the aforesaid copending application Serial No, 144,230.

Relay magnet S, which requires a strong current for adequate energization, has a pivoted armature 15, urged outwardly oraway from the magnet by a. spring 16 and provided with a spring contact 17 adapted II to cooperatewith' an adjustable fixed con tact 18. An adjustable stop 19 limits the outward swing of thearmature. Relay Across the armatures and their associated.

magnet W, sensitive to weak current, has

a similar plvoted armature 20, provided with a returning spring '20 and equipped with a spring contact 21 cooperating with a yielding or shiftable contact22. The two armatures are electrically in parallel and are connected to the local source of current, in the present instance the supply mains 23, 24, and the neutral or third wire Contacts 18 and 22 are likewise connected in parallel, and they are also connected to the main 23 through the ticker press magnet 26.

contacts 18, 22 is a condenser 27 in series with a resistance R which may be an ordinary lamp (not shown) in a receptacle 28, Fig. 1. A receptacle 29 is shown for a similar resistance R, in the press magnet local circuit.

Suppose, now, that the current impulses of alternating polarity sent over the transmission line 11 are weak. Current then flows through wire 11, relays W, S, wire 30, ticker escapement magnets 12, and ticker shift magnet 13. The current being weak, the latter magnet is not energized suflicientby the prolonged final impulse to actuate l the shift mechanism, nor does magnet S respond to the weak current and accordingly its armature 15, Fig. 2, remains out of engagement with'contact 18. But magnet 7Vv responds to the final impulse (which is prolonged for the purpose) and swings its armature 20 over against contact 22. Local current then flows from main 23 through wire 31, press magnet 26, wires 32, 33 contact 22, armature 20 and wire 3& to the third wire 25. This energizes the press magnetand the imprint is made. When current ceases to flow in the line 11 the relay W is deenergized and the local circuit is opened.

Suppose, now, that strong impulses are transmitted. Irrthat case both magnets S, W respond, the shift magnet 13 also rends, and on the final prolonged impulse t e prom magnet local circuit would be m "i t closed by both armatures. Then when the line 11 is o ened (at the transmitter, not shown), to eenergize the press magnet by causing the relay system to open the local circuit, both relays should be deenergized instantly. If, however, spring 20 is so adjusted as to permit actuation of armature 20' by magnet W when energized by weak current the spring tension may be too weak to return the armature quickly euo h after the at has been over-ener so to {peak y strong current. In other words,

e armature sometimes sticks momentari- 1 ,thus keeping the local circuit closed and t ereby causingtheprin'ting. laten*(not' shown) to hold the typewheek throws the receiver .out of unison with the r Y Y will be seen such. W could not respond efiectively, at all, to

ness and reliability of operation which are so important in a printing telegraph system, especially when the system is used for reporting sales on a stock exchange, for example. In any case the adjustment of the returning spring is more or less critical, and change in its resiliency, due to temperature variation or other cause, may vitiate the adjustment and make the operation of the. receiver uncertain.

The difiiculty out-lined aboveis obviated by interconnecting the two relays S, W, in such manner that whenever the armature of the strong relay is actuated the contacts of the weak relay are positively separated. In the present instance the interconnecting means "are: in the form of an:-

swung toward their cooperating contacts 18,

22. The press magnet local circuit is thereby closed at contact 18 by the strong relay S; but as the armature 15 swings over, it shifts the rod 36 rightwardly and the latter in turn bonds the spring contact22 away from armature 20, thus preventing engagement with the spring contact. The

imprint having been made, the line is opened and current thereupon ceases to flow through the relays. The strong spring-of maget S at once returns the armature 15to open position, which breaks the press magnet local circuit. The latter magnet being thus deenergized the ticker platen (not shown) swings away from the typewheel (not shown) and the typewheel is free to be rotated for the next printing 7 operation. As armature 15 swings back to open circuit position, armature 20 may do likewise at the same time, but suppose it does not. In that case no harm is done, inasmuch as the actuation of the rod 36 had prevented closmg the local circuitat contact 22. As armture 15 swings away from contact 18, spring contact 22 swings back toward armature 20, which we are assuming has stuck in closed pr rightward position, and might eventua y engage t e armature thereby closing the press magnet local circuitagain. It does not, however, for the reason that as the contact 22 toward the left the field of magnet W is deer in and before the contact 22 race es the stick:

ing armature 20-jtliefield has-decreased'euf fic ently to let the spring m act-and throw the armature" bad: to open ciruitf giosition.

magnet The ultimate result'is the same as i stro current; or as if it would release as quick y after strong current as after weak current.

Stating the conditions in other word's,'it-

is important that if at any time both relays can simultaneously close the press magnet local circuit, both shall let go instantly and simultaneousl or that, if a single relay were used, it he not only equally sensitive to weak and stron current but also be capable of instant eenergization after strong current as well as after week current. These desiderata are difiicult of accomplishment, especially where, as in stock ticker work, unfailing reliability of operation is a prime essential. The difiiculty, however, is obviated in the relay system illustrated, as described above.

An eccentric stop. 38 limits the leftward movement or swing of armature 20. Means of conventional type for adjustment of the tensionz of springs 16, 20, may also be provided, so that by adjustment of the springs and stops the best operating conditions can be obtained.

In the system shown in Fig, 3 the interconnection between the two relays is electrical rather than mechanical, in that when.-

the relay S,, which requires strong current for energization, actuates its armature the latter opens the circuit of relay \V, which can operate on weak current. For this purpose armature 25 of relay S is rovided with a bridge piece 40, insulated mm the rest of the armature and adapted --to span a pair of contacts 41 in series with relay W, which latter is in parallel (through contacts 41) -with relay S. Weak current entering by wire 42 flows through wire 43-, relay W, wire 44, contacts 41 and bridge and wire 45; also from wire 42 through 42 and relay S to'wire-46; thence through escapement magnets 12, wire.47, and shiftmagnet 13 to the neutral or third wire 25.

iii)

Relay W, thus energized, swings its armature 20 over against contact 48, thusestablishing a local circuit for the press magnet 26 from main 23, through wire 49, magnet 26, wires 50, 51, contact 48, armature 20K, and wire 52 to the'thir'd wire 25. It will of course be understood that the final weak impulse must be rolonged in order to energize relay W, as 1n the system illustrated in Fi 1 and 2. 1

f the current enteringat 42 is strong.

then on the finalimpulseboth relays. S and W, are energized, but the actuation-of'armature 25"- withdraws the bridge 40 from contacts '41, thereby breaking the circuit of relay W and at the same time establishing the press magnet local circuit byway of wire 50, contact 53, armature 25', and wires 54,

l 52 to third wire 25. It will thus be seen that when the final impulseds strong, relay W is not energized and hence there is no danger of its armature sticking on contact 48, which would keep the press local-circuit closed, when the line circuit is opened at the transmitter.

In the system shown in Fig. 4 the shift magnet performs in part the function of the strong 'rela in that it so' controls the other relay, 1 that the latters armature 25 will not stick and thus keep the press local circuit closed when strong current has been sent over the transmission circuit. For this purpose the shift armature 56 is magnet 13' is energized by strong current, closes spring contacts 58 and thereby lays across relay W a shunt having sufiicientresistance R to prevent shorting out the relay entirely but still to take so much of the current as to leave only enough for energizing magnet W without causing its armature to stick. Suppose, now, that the current entcringby wire 59 is weak. Shift ma net 13 ro-, vided with a finger 57 which, when the s ift is there orenot energized by the pro onged insure its operation at the proper time but never enou h to cause sticking,

It is to is not limited to the specific form herein described but may be embodied in other forms without. departure from its spirit.

1. In a printing telegraph system, in combination, a normally open local circuit, re?

lay mechanism having electromagnetic actuating' means inherently responsive to both strong and weak current to close said'local circuit, and having automatic actuating means for causing opening of the local circuit when current ceases to flow in said electroma netic means; and means distinct from sai automatic means andresponsive only to strong current to insureinstant-opening of the local circuit when strong current ceases to flow. I

2. In a printing telegraph system, in combination, a normally open local circuit, circeases to flow in said relay mechanism, andmeans respoiisiveto strong current and c0- e understood that the invention "cuit-closing relay mechanism having electrobination a rela Y ma net res )onsive only to a l n t strong current, an armaturetherefor, a relay magnet responsive to weak current, an armature therefor, a local circuit connected with both said armatures to be closed and opened. by each, and means actuated by the first magnet to prevent effective response of the second magnet to strong current.

5. In a printing telegraph system, in combination, a local circuit, a relay magnet, responsive only to strong current, an armature therefor connected with the local circuitto close and open the same, a 'relay magnet responsive to weak current, an armature therefor connected with the local circuit toclose and open the same, and means actuated by the first armature to prevent effective actuation of the second arinature when its" magnet is energized by strong current.

6Q In a printing telegraph system, in eom- I bination, a local circuit, a strong-current relay having an armature connected with the local circuit to close and open the same on strong current, a relay in series with the first and having an armature in parallel with the first armature to closeand open the local circuit on weak current, and means actuated by the first armature to prevent closing ofi the local circuit by the second armature on strong current. 1

7. In a printingtelegraph system, in combmation, a transmission circuit, a receiver local circuit, a relay having a magnet connected with the transmission circuit for en- 3=ergization by strong current only insaid transmission circuit and having an armature connected with the local circuit to close and open the same, a relay having a magnet connected with the transmission circuit for energization by weak current therein and having an armature connected with the local circuit to close and open the same, and means actuated by the first relay and cooperating l with the second to prevent closing of the local circuit on strong current in the transmission circuit.

8.,In a printing telegraph system, in combination, a transmission circuit, a receiver local circuit, a relay having a magnet connected with the transmission circuit for energization only by strong current therein and having a pair of relatively movable contacts actuated by the magnet to close and open the local circuit, a relay having a magnet connectcd with the transmission circuit for energization by weak current therein and having a pair of relatively movable contacts actuated by the magnet to close and open the local circuit, and means actuated by a contact of the first pair and cooperating with a contact of the second pair to shift the latter contact out of the range of movement of the other contact of the second pair and thereby prevent closing of the second pair when the first relay is actuated.

9. In a printing telegraph system, in combination, a transmission circuit, a relay magnct connected with the transmission circuit and energizable only by strong current therein, an armature arranged for actuation by said magnet and connected in the local circuit, afixed contact connected in the local circuit and cooperating with said armature to close and open the local circuit, a relay magnet connected with the transmission circuit and energizable by weak current therein, an armature arranged for actuation by the second relay and connected in the local circuit, a shiftable contact connected in the local circuit and normally positioned for engagement with the second armature to close and open the local circuit, and a member actuated by the first armature and cooperating with said shiftable contact to displace the same, and thereby prevent engagement by the cooperating armature, when the first relay magnet is energized.

10. In a printing telegraph system, a pair of relays having magnets in series and armatures in parallel to open and close a local circuit, one relay being capable of actuation on strong current only and the other on weak current, a normally fixed contact for the weak relay shiftable out of range of the armature ofthe weak relay, and a movable rod between the armature of the strong relay and the shiftable contact of the other to shift the latter when the strong relay armature is "actuated, whereby to prevent closing of the local circuit by the weak relay on strong current.

In testimony whereof we hereto afiix our signatures. 4

. GEORGE S. HILTZ.

WILLIAM F. PURCELL. 

